NINETEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH LITERATURE – WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
William Wordsworth was the great initiator of the Romantic movement. His poetry is full of joy, exploration, seeing the beauty stark and as a vision that becomes unbearable, and needs to be expressed. They are full of the joy of Nature, of life and soothe the heart and the mind in a unique and profoundly original way. For him life was simply an endless fascination for life, nature, living and self discovery. At times he sees with such a blinding vision of divine beauty, it leaves us shocked, and he makes that divinity of nature believable, as he had experienced.
NINETEENTH CENTURY ENGLISH LITERATURE – WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
William Wordsworth: The Poet of Nature and Human Emotion
William Wordsworth (1770–1850) was a pivotal figure in English Romantic poetry, renowned for his celebration of nature, his exploration of human emotions, and his revolutionary approach to poetic language. Alongside Samuel Taylor Coleridge, he helped launch the Romantic Age in English literature with the publication of Lyrical Ballads (1798), which broke away from the formal, artificial style of 18th-century poetry. Wordsworth’s works emphasize simplicity, the beauty of the natural world, and the profound connection between humanity and the environment.
Early Life and Influences
Born in Cockermouth, Cumberland, Wordsworth grew up in the scenic Lake District, a landscape that deeply influenced his poetry. Orphaned at a young age, he was sent to school in Hawkshead, where he developed a love for nature. He later attended Cambridge University but found academic life stifling. A walking tour of Europe in 1790 exposed him to the revolutionary fervor in France, which initially inspired his democratic ideals. However, disillusionment with the violence of the French Revolution led him to seek solace in nature and poetry.
Lyrical Ballads and Poetic Revolution
Wordsworth’s most significant contribution to literature was Lyrical Ballads, co-authored with Coleridge. The collection, particularly the preface to its second edition (1800), became a manifesto for Romantic poetry. Wordsworth argued that poetry should be written in "the real language of men" and should focus on ordinary life and emotions. His famous definition of poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings… recollected in tranquility" reflects his belief in emotional authenticity.
Key poems in Lyrical Ballads include:
"Tintern Abbey" – A meditation on memory, nature, and spiritual renewal.
"The Solitary Reaper" – A lyrical depiction of a Highland girl’s song, evoking deep emotion.
"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" (also known as "Daffodils") – A joyful celebration of nature’s beauty.
Themes in Wordsworth’s Poetry
Nature as a Moral Guide – Wordsworth saw nature as a source of wisdom, joy, and moral instruction. Unlike earlier poets who treated nature as mere decoration, he believed it had a profound spiritual influence on human beings.
Memory and Childhood – Many of his poems, such as "Ode: Intimations of Immortality," explore childhood as a time of pure connection with nature, which fades but can be recalled through memory.
The Common Man – Wordsworth elevated rural life and ordinary people, portraying shepherds, beggars, and children with dignity and depth.
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, Wordsworth became more conservative and was appointed Poet Laureate in 1843. While his later works lacked the revolutionary vigor of his youth, his early poetry had already transformed English literature. His influence extended to later poets like John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and even modern environmental writers.
Conclusion
William Wordsworth redefined poetry by focusing on personal emotion, everyday language, and the restorative power of nature. His works continue to resonate with readers for their lyrical beauty and profound insights into the human condition. As a pioneer of Romanticism, he remains one of the most beloved and influential poets in English literature.